Grant Thornton EBF Novices' Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 23.30s

Dear Sire^h³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 142| CD

5/4

Talented hurdler who won 7-20 and made a very encouraging start over fences last time when landing beginners' chase over C&D last month. Sure to go well granted a clear round and looks the one to beat.

Form: 4F12-01

Dieg Man⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 133| C

11/8

Three from five for connections since moving over from France and looks a nice prospect. Stayed on well to win over timber here in May and makes his chasing bow. Easy ground suits and sure to have been well schooled so looks a player.

Form: 11196-1

Fair Exchange²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 127| D

7/2

Won three point to points and not disgraced when third of four on chasing bow at Uttoxeter last month. Should win a race or two but takes on tough opposition here.

Form: P412P3

Hollins Hill⁵⁸⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 95

33/1

Massive odds all five career starts and has shown very little to set the pulse racing. Has been off for 588 days and makes very little appeal.

Form: 95096/

Non-Runners

Applesandpierres¹⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 10

T: Mrs S Leech J: Adrian Heskin

Forecasts

Dear Sire (5/4), Dieg Man (11/8), Applesandpierres (5/2), Fair Exchange (7/2), Hollins Hill (33/1)

DEAR SIRE and Dieg Man are two potentially decent novice chasers and preference is for the former who won a shade cheekily here on his fencing bow last month. he was a class act over hurdles and is fancied to make it 2-2 over the larger obstacles. Dieg Man is a nice prospect who won three over hurdles last term ánd represents a very good yard. He should test the selection. Applesandpierres pushed Dear Sire all the way last time and is theoretically weigted to win but he may again have to settle for a place.